The NHL suspended Raffi Torres 25-games for his hit on the Blackhawks Marian Hossa, whattya' think? For the record, I'm not approving or disapproving of the suspension ... I'm just kind of scratching my head, 25 games? I suppose it had to be done, this year's playoffs have looked more like a WWE Super Smackdown, at times, then the NHL playoffs. Shanny sent a pretty clear message on this one.

Torres is a habitual offender, but the hit is no worse than many you can see in our own "Great Hits" thread here in the B&G Hockey Group ... yes, it caused serious injury, but was it 'intent'? While 'leaving your feet' during a check is a definite no-no, these guys can reach speeds in excess of 20mph (approx. 32km/h) while skating and collisions like this are, at times, unavoidable.

I'm wondering if the NHL isn't going down the same path as the NFL, in which there will be more future emphasis on 'safety' and eliminating 'big hits'. I'm not saying 'good' or 'bad' and I certainly don't condone sending someone off the ice in a stretcher, but just as with the NFL & Bountygate, it could be argued that it's the nature of the game ... hitting.

We're going to be old one day, looking back on hockey/football and telling stories to our grandkids about the 'glory days' when you could lay a guy out in pro sports ... I just got the feeling the powers that be are intent on changing the way the games are played forever ... not 'good', not 'bad', just 'change'.

Going to disagree. Shoulder looks up and he leans in for the hit. Plus, it's not like it's raffi's first venture into dirty hit territory. Which like it or not, plays a factor in suspensions and penalties.

25 is excessive.
Shanahan has too many variables in his suspension matrix. This is 25, but Weber is zero, Neal is only one?
If this is the new standard, so be it, just make sure the next one is called the same way.

Again, the NHL does take into consideration prior offenses w/ their suspensions. If this had been Raffi's first or second time I doubt it would be as bad. Long streak of sketchy and dirty play changes the game.

This does get me wondering about Cooke the next time he pulls some ****.

Cooke is the poster boy for recreating himself- no suspensions this year, very few majors.
I think the repeat offender part is overdone, mostly because the NHL gets it wrong the first time. Now a guy like Cooke, or Rinaldo or Carcillo goes into the corner, the ref already has his hand half raised, ready to call something

IDK, that's gracious of Bettman, but how about just giving him 'time served' and calling it a day, eh? Torres sat out the rest of the playoffs, no need to extend the suspension into next season ... lesson learned, imho.